[J-ENT] Kimura Takuya getting advice from Koizumi supervisor

June 20, 2008 by Dennis Amith

Japantoday.com reported, “Fuji TV started its political drama “CHANGE” in May, featuring SMAP star Takuya Kimura, popularly known as “Kimutaku,” as a teacher who becomes prime minister. Fuji has not been good at producing political dramas for a long time. What makes it possible for them to produce this political drama can be seen in the credits at the end of the drama: Supervisor Isao Iijima.”

“Iijima was a private secretary for former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and worked with him and the cabinet for nearly six years. He is known among media professionals as a producer of the so-called “Koizumi Theater,” controlling media of any kind. He is now believed to have “broken up” with Koizumi since Koizumi supported Fukuda, whom he does not like.”

“What do politicians think of the drama? “Kimutaku always has bad hair. He keeps it like a lion’s mane,” said one. Another remarked that “SMAP’s ‘Lion Heart’ is used as background music in the drama, which is Koizumi’s favorite.”